December 14, 2006

Over the past decade, Bethabara Baptist Church, Northport, in Sipsey Baptist Association has had its ups and downs in membership. At its membership’s height, pews that once held as few as 13 active members sagged under the skyrocketing membership of 300. Now Bethabara Baptist’s active membership currently rests in the low 60s. It’s an average attendance rate among the state’s Baptist churches, but it’s a number that means about 240 members are MIA.

New Pastor Ken Blake is the man who plans to change all that — and then some. "We did a promotion around the end of October to get our name back out there and let people know we’re in business," he said. "We’re trying to reach people."

Called as pastor in July, Blake, a coalminer by day, has taken to the phones in search of the members who stare at him from the membership rolls in name only. "This church is absolutely missionary-minded about reaching people, and I still think we can have a great ministry here," he said.

Since Blake came, six have already been added by salvation. In current Bethabara terms, that’s 10 percent growth.

"We’re just trying to build up this ministry for God," he said. "So just pray for us."